NHSGGC Spiritual Care Protocol for PICU

Principle

The UN rights of the child now include protection from moral injury and this was adopted into Scottish law as of 15th July 2024.

NHS staff should also be protected, as much as is possible from moral injury, as they are, from other types of health and safety hazards while providing and delivering medical care.

Process

Families should be asked about their values, i.e. about what matters most to them. If a belief community is part of that, they should be asked if leaders of their local belief community will be able to offer them support over the time ahead. A summary of these conversations, with details of any belief community leaders and their contact details, should be recorded by PICU.

The views of children and young people should be sought (where appropriate and possible) by staff before leaders of belief communities are invited into PICU by family members.

If such a visit is welcomed by a patient, call the spiritual care team who will liaise directly with the belief community leader being invited into PICU, including liaising with the family.

If such a visit is not welcomed by a patient or if they are unable to give their view, a belief community leader is to be invited on the basis that they will meet with the family in the sanctuary, and not at the patient’s bedside. Again, inform the spiritual care team to facilitate this with and on behalf of the family.

Principle

To protect the privacy of patients while ensuring and supporting a safe working environment for staff, sharing recordings online of patients from within their room on the ward, is not allowed by anyone.

Process

All families should be told on arrival and admission, that NHSGGC prohibits the recording of patients and staff in wards through the use of smart phones or any other devices. Posting pictures or video online, or livestreaming video, is not allowed. If there is a spiritual care need being highlighted through this behaviour or an explicit request, ask the spiritual care team to meet with the family to offer and provide appropriate support.

Principle

To experience as peaceful an environment as possible is the aim during a critical period of care, because it is fundamental to all patient’s health needs and spiritual care needs.

Process

The use of smartphones to play music or spiritual and/or religious material should be questioned, in terms of determining a patient’s needs and wishes to maintain a peaceful environment, which is an important component of patient care. The same principle would apply to any behaviour by individuals or groups who may cause a level of noise that disturbs the peace of other patients and families.

The sanctuary, not the ward, is the correct location for spiritual and religious practice, such as audible group prayer. For people who believe in prayer, it is understood that prayer does not need to be in immediate proximity to a patient (i.e. it does not have to be in a patient’s room). If this proves problematic for a specific family, ask the spiritual care team to support the family to find a solution

Principle

The sanctuary, not the ward, is the appropriate, purpose-built location for specific rituals and rites of all worldviews so that patients and families with such needs feel supported. This includes them being mindful of not disrupting the peace of all other patients and families in the ward at any time.

Process

Facilities for ablutions, prayer, reflection and spiritual care can occur in the sanctuary, and families should be directed after arrival and admission in PICU.

Spiritual care seeks to understand people’s values and support people from that values-based perspective, as they experience loss and change in the healthcare setting. It is appropriate to offer spiritual care to all families, whatever their worldview, not only those whose values include a religious worldview.

PICU staff do support families with spiritual care but spiritual care (which includes religious care) is the priority and responsibility of the spiritual care team. It is proactive, therefore, to involve the spiritual care team in supporting families from the earliest point possible, either for a conversation to explore their needs and wishes or provide direct input.

The spiritual care team are always available to support staff.